MALAYALAM POETS

G. Sankara Kurup, (3 June 1901 – 2 February 1978) better known as Mahakavi G (The Great Poet G),
was an Indian poet, essayist and literary critic of Malayalam literature. Known as one of the greats of
Malayalam poetry, he was the first recipient of the Jnanpith Award, the highest Indian literary
honor. He served as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 1968 to 1972 and received the
Padma Bhushan, the third highest Indian civilian award, in 1967. He was also a recipient of Sahitya
Akademi Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award and Soviet Land Nehru Award

Sankara Kurup was born on June 3, 1901 at Nayathode, a hamlet in the erstwhile Kingdom of Cochin
(now in Ernakulam district of the south Indian state of Kerala) to Nellikamballi Variyathu Sankara
Warrier and Vadakkani Marathu Lakshmikutty Marasyar.[1] His early education was at the local
schools in Nayathode and Perumbavoor after passing his 7th standard examination, he passed the
Vernacular Higher Examination from a school in Muvattupuzha.[2] Subsequently, he started his
career as the headmaster of Kottamam Convent School when he was only 16 and during his tenure
there, continued his studies to pass the Malayalam Pandit and Vidwan examinations. In 1927, he
moved to Thiruvilluamala High School as the Malayalam Pandit and to Thrissur training school in
1927 as a teacher. In 1931, he joined Maharaja's College, Ernakulam as a lecturer where he stayed
until his retirement from service as a professor in 1956.[2] he aso served as a producer at the
Thiruvananthapuram station of the All India Radio.[1]

Sankara Kurup served Kerala Sahitya Akademi as its fourth president.[3] n He was also the president
of the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad and served as the chief editor of its official magazine; it was
during his tenure that the magazine became a tri-monthly.[4] He edited another magazine, too,
titled Thilakam. In 1968, he was nominated as a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the
Parliament of India.[4]

Sankara Kurup married Subhadra Amma in 1931 and the couple had two children, a son,
Ravindranath and a daughter, Radha.[1][5] Radha was married to M. Achuthan, an academic and a
prominent literary critic.[6] He died on February 2, 1979, aged 76, at Vappalassery, near Angamaly in
Ernakulam district, Kerala, succumbing to the trauma following a surgery.[4]

Odakkuzhal is the famous poetry of G. Sankara Kurup. It is a collection of poems in Malayalam by the
poet. Odakkuzhal won the first prestigious Jnanpith Award in 1965.[2] The book consists of 60
symbolist lyrics.